Device for Supporting of Holding an Infant or Child, as a Support or Cot

Abstract

A device for supporting and/or holding a young child or infant is described which includes a simplicity of function, having limited components for operation of the device. The device includes a unique form (unique overall shape and design). The device comprises a top, a bottom, an outer edge forming a periphery (with or without a lip at the outer edge), and an air or gas bladder contained between the top and the bottom, and bounded by at least a portion of the outer edge. The device comprises a plurality of internal seams, at least one for forming a first wing region on a first side of a centrally located body region of the device, and at least one for forming a second wing region on a second side of the centrally located body region. The device is not only lightweight, it is also collapsible, foldable, and portable, easy to assemble, easy to operate, easy to carry, is safe when assembled, and compact when collapsed, making it suitable for home use and/or designed for travel.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device for supporting or holding a young child or infant, the device comprising:
 a continuous member having a non-polygonal form, the continuous member further comprising a top, a bottom, and a peripheral seal that encloses the top, at its edges, with the bottom, at its edges, the peripheral seal forming a chamber between the top and bottom for air or gas;   wherein the non-polygonal form of the continuous member comprises:
 a body portion having a first side and a second side, and a first end and a second end; 
 a first wing portion positioned on a first side of the body portion, the first wing portion having its first end proximate to the first end of the body portion and its second end proximate to the second end of the body portion; 
 a second wing portion positioned on a second side of the body portion, the second wing portion having its first end proximate to the first end of the body portion and its second end proximate to the second end of the body portion; 
 a first coupling means for coupling a first end of the first wing portion with a first end of the second wing portion; and 
 a second coupling means for coupling a second end of the first wing portion with a second end of the second wing portion, 
   wherein the first wing portion and the body portion of the continuous member are so joined by a first moveable hinge region,   wherein the first moveable hinge region provides a first region for movement of the first wing portion with respect to the body portion, when all or a portion of the first wing portion moves to the different plane than a plane for the body portion,   wherein the second wing portion and the body portion of the continuous member are so joined by a second moveable hinge region,   wherein the second moveable hinge region provides a second region for movement of the second wing portion with respect to the body portion, when all or a portion of the second wing portion moves to the different plane than a plane for the body portion,   the device inflatable via the air or gas bladder to expand the device between the top and the bottom,   the device further operable between a first or open position and a second or closed position, wherein the closed position raises at least a portion of the bottom of the first and second wing regions away from a surface on which the device is positioned.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first moveable hinge region is formed by at least one seam that fuses or welds the top and the bottom along a portion of the first moveable hinge region, and wherein the second moveable hinge region is formed by at least one seam that at least partially fuses or welds the top and the bottom along a portion of the second moveable hinge region. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein one or more seams forming the first moveable hinge region and the second moveable hinge region each consist of a plurality of spaced apart sections to allow the air or gas in the chamber to distribute to the body portion, the first wing portion an the second wing portion. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first coupling means is positioned on the first end of the first wing and on the first end of the second wing, and wherein the second coupling means is positioned on the second end of the first wing and on the second end of the second wing. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein a portion of the first coupling means is positioned on the first end of the first wing and another portion of the first coupling means is position on the first end of the second wing, and wherein a portion of the second coupling means is positioned on the second end of the first wing and another portion of the second coupling means is positioned on the second end of the second wing. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the first coupling means and the second coupling means are each selected from one or more from a group consisting of one or more enclosure, fastener, clasp, belt, buckle, hook and loop, clip, lock, chain, zipper, button and hole, pin, hoop, retaining ring, anchor, carabiner, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein an inlet located on the body portion is utilized to fill the chamber with the air or gas. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the chamber may be any one of filled with the air or gas, devoid of the air or gas, and partially filled with the air or gas. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises at least one handle. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is formed utilizing a thermoplastic material for the top and the bottom, and wherein the peripheral seal is formed by joining together the edges of the top and the bottom, wherein the joining together is any one or more of molding, heating, welding, and fusing. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device is formed utilizing a thermoplastic material for the top and the bottom, and wherein each first moveable hinge region and second moveable hinge region is formed by a plurality of spaced apart seams separated by gaps, each spaced apart seam joining a spaced apart section of the top and the bottom along a portion of the first moveable hinge region and the second moveable hinge region, respectively, and wherein the joining is by any one or more of molding, heating, welding, and fusing. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 21  further comprising one or more of a pocket, a pump, a micropump, and an inflating mechanism, any or all of which may be cooperative with the device. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a cover having at least an opening for fitting the cover over the device. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a cover having at least an opening for fitting the cover over the device, and wherein the cover is a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a cover having at least one opening for fitting the cover over the device, and a plurality of smaller openings each smaller than the at least one opening for fitting the cover, wherein the plurality of smaller openings are so positioned for access to the first coupling means and the second coupling means. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a cover having at least an opening for fitting the cover over the device, and a plurality of smaller openings each smaller than the at least one opening for fitting the cover, wherein the plurality of smaller openings are so positioned for access to the first coupling means and the second coupling means, wherein the cover is a thermoplastic material, and wherein the cover further comprises a non-slip material positioned in one or more locations on one or more of a top surface of the top and a bottom surface of the bottom. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises an inlet for inflating the chamber with the air or gas, and wherein inflating the chamber occurs before the device is utilized to support or hold a young child or infant. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 21  further comprising a padding positioned in one or more locations on one or more of a top surface of the top and a bottom surface of the bottom. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises an inlet for inflating the chamber with the air or gas, and wherein inflating the chamber with the air or gas occurs before the first coupling means and the second coupling means are so coupled. 
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises an inlet for inflating the chamber with the air or gas, and wherein inflating the chamber with the air or gas occurs after the first coupling means and the second coupling means are so coupled.